New York: Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that goldenrod plants can detect neighboring plants without physical contact, using reflected far-red light ratios. This finding, detailed in a recent paper, suggests a form of plant intelligence.
When goldenrod is consumed by herbivores, its response varies depending on nearby plants. This adaptive behavior raises the question: can plants exhibit intelligence through flexible, real-time responses?
Andre Kessler, a chemical ecologist at Cornell, explores this concept in depth. He acknowledges the challenge in defining intelligence, noting over 70 published definitions without consensus. Unlike traditional views linking intelligence to nervous systems, some plant biologists propose that vascular systems enable plants to process and respond to information.
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Kessler and his doctoral student, Michael Mueller, define plant intelligence as problem-solving based on environmental information towards a goal. They argue that plants like goldenrod demonstrate this by emitting chemicals to deter pests when attacked.
Applying the intelligence concept to plants can revolutionize understanding of their chemical communication mechanisms. Kessler believes this perspective encourages new hypotheses and shifts perceptions of intelligence.
In conclusion, while the notion of plant intelligence remains debated, Kessler’s research on goldenrod illustrates how plants may exhibit sophisticated adaptive behaviors. This challenges traditional views of intelligence and invites broader exploration into the cognitive capabilities of organisms beyond those traditionally considered intelligent.
Plants intelligence Cornell is article about Plants intelligence Cornell
